Packaging Design News

In This Issue

• The first iSpek release for 2005
• De Bortolli and Ricegrowers now approving artwork in iSpek
• Do you know the easiest way to search for projects?
• Release Notes - Version 4_8_0
• Attention Firefox users - new security patch released

The first iSpek release for 2005  

This newsletter announces the release of version 4_8_0 of iSpek, scheduled for availability on Tuesday 28th March 2005.

This release delivers the new functionality and integration required to ensure that iSpek is ready for Amcor Fibre Packaging's SAP rollout which is due to commence in Tasmania the first week of April this year.

In addition to this there is now a new workflow activity, 'New Job Request' that enables customers to directly submit their job brief to Amcor, ensuring the Amcor Account Manager is notified as to when this has occurred. This new activity is a much requested change from the various customers we have been working with and it means that customers no longer have to communicate by faxes or email and can instead trigger the job request directly in iSpek at anytime.

Other new features available in the March release include:

• Simplification to the 'log in' pages so a user does not have to navigate through two pages to enter iSpek
• The Firefox browser is now supported
• Sample request activity responsiveness issues resolved
• Art template select fields now appearing in alpha order
• New styles added -J01V62R-R, J01R-RV7, J01R-RV71 and WEL92L6

Finally, we have also been working with Amcor's Flexibles business to build an Activity to manage their new job request process. This activity manages the creation of the initial job request through to the commencement of cylinder/platemaking. The Flexibles business will take this through a controlled test phase prior to releasing to all users. This activity includes a new calendar function that enables users to easily select dates from a pop-up calendar rather than having to input as text.

If you require any further information please contact your local iSpek representative.

De Bortoli and Ricegrowers are now approving artwork in iSpek 

The iSpek Quick Review Programme is gaining momentum with Amcor Fibre Packaging's major customers being targeted to approve their artwork online through iSpek. The implementation plan will be initiated during April and will involve training sessions with Account Managers who are involved in the target customer list and then a rollout to customers.

One of the benefits of this programme is that the implementation is simple yet the rewards are immediate for both the customer and AFPA. Customers can be trained and up and running on the system within an hour. One of the early implementers of this programme, Angelo Dotta, has implemented the Quick Review Programme with De Bortoli Wines and Ricegrowers. Angelo says that "the implementation of iSpek art approval surprised users...these people were concerned that it would be complicated, but after doing a couple of 'test' runs they realised it is a very simple tool to use."

The benefits include:

• faster turnaround time - do not have to wait for the rep to return to the office to forward the artwork
• flexibility - 24/7 access to approve artwork
• less rework of alterations art as the customer is passing any instructions directly to the artist
• visibility as to where the job is up to

The fact that everything is now housed in iSpek and tightly version controlled is also making it easier for everyone including the customer, rep, artist and planner to ascertain which artwork has been approved.

If you are interested in participating in this programme please contact Fiona at fiona.hamilton@amcor.com.au.

Did you know...?  

Did you know to save time you can search for projects in iSpek using wildcards?

To search for a project you can enter the search criteria using key words and wild cards where * (asterix) is used to represent a word string and ? (question mark) is used to represent one character. These can be entered as part of your search in the keyword search field on the Welcome Page in iSpek.

Using wildcards to search enables you to broaden your search to include variations of a word and you can search for both singular/plural forms of a word and words that include the same string.

Asterix

• Definition
  • stands for any number of characters and is especially useful when you want to find all words that share the same string
• Example
  • typing water* matches watering, waterfall, water001 etc.
  • typing *water matches Cool Water, 001 Cold Water
• Hint
  • an asterix can be used within a word but other wildcards are more precise for this kind of use

Question Mark

• Definition
  • stands for exactly one character and is useful if you are uncertain of a spelling
• Example
  • confection?ry allows you to match words even if you cannot remember how they are spelled
• Hint
  • multiple question marks in a row stand for the same number of characters that are question marks

This is much easier than searching through your entire list of projects each time.

Release Notes Version 4_8_0  

This release has largely focussed on functionality to ensure that iSpek is ready for the AFPA SAP rollout, other changes include:

• Simplification to the 'log in' pages so a user does not have to navigate through two pages to enter iSpek
• The Firefox browser is now supported for Mac users
• Box into box - second box size tab, no longer allows minimum dimensions to be greater than maximum dimensions for variable sizing
• Art template select fields now appearing in alpha order
• New styles added -J01V62R-R, J01R-RV7, J01R-RV71 and WEL92L6
• Loaded Pallet Dimensions are now editable customer delivery pallet page
• Fixed project name in place of customer name in project completion emails
• Person selection is retained if person also appears in target list for activity management activity creation
• Change to Design Art to Negs flow to include Account Manager notification

Attention Firefox users - Mozilla Firefox security patch released 23rd March  

A security update for Mozilla Firefox has been released to address a security flaw that may allow an attacker to run arbitrary code on a user's machine. Speak to your system administrator for further information and how to download Firefox v1.0.2.

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